There are four things to look for when choosing the best home inspection training: accreditation, course material, certification, and instructor. Home inspector training is available from a wide range of community and career colleges. These programs are designed to provide the training and skills necessary to become a licensed home inspector.
Home inspectors are usually independent contractors who work for home purchasers, financial companies, or insurance companies. They provide an independent, professional review and appraisal of the property. The role of home inspector has become more important as people invest in purchasing older homes. It is very important when purchasing an older home to have a good understanding of the home's condition, so that the price offered reflects any additional work that might need to be done.
The first item to check when looking for the home inspection training is accreditation. An independent third party has inspected an accredited school. This agency has examined the administrative and academic policies and compared them against a minimum standard. Courses taken at accredited schools can be transferred to other post-secondary institutions and are accepted by certification and licensing associations.
Review the home inspection training program and course descriptions. A home inspection training program is typically eight months full time or two years part time. It is important to ensure that the courses are intended for people who want to become professional home inspectors. There are a number of courses available to homeowners, who are interested in learning more about home construction. These types of courses are not suitable.
Anyone wanting to be a home inspector must ensure that the course work is progressing toward a certificate or licensing examination. These programs have a very specific curriculum, and are focused on preparing students for the professional home inspector examination. This type of training program provides the name of the certifying agency in the course syllabus. Take the time to review and ensure that this is the correct agency for your area.
When looking at home inspection training, the most important item is the instructors. They should all be licensed master tradesmen in their fields, with many years of experience in home building and renovations. A course on structural engineering should be taught by a civil engineer and business management courses by an accountant or management professional. The information provided in these training programs determines the quality of the education and your ability to succeed upon graduation. Invest the time to validate the qualifications to ensure that they will be able to provide the level of education necessary.